EUROPE Ltd is full member of the Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA) since 2002.  EUROPE Ltd actively contributes to the achievement of HVCA pro-bono; one of EUROPE Ltd’s directors was elected board member of HVCA between 2002 and 2006.

HVCA was set up in 1991. It represents virtually every major source of funds and expertise of private equity in Hungary. HVCA is dedicated to promote the venture capital and private equity industry for the benefit of funds, entrepreneurs, SMEs, and the economy as a whole. The Association aims to promote the development of industry and to create a set of rigorous professional and ethical standards for its member companies. The members involve all the important investors or advisors in the sector dealing with non-quoted companies.

HVCA performs an important role in divulging the point of the venture capital concept and helps the Hungarian entrepreneurs to get to know the benefits of this kind of corporate financing. At the same time, it has tight partnership with the international organisations of the industry.

HVCA is the Hungarian member organisation of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA), a non-profit trade association based in Brussels.  This enables to cooperate and share experience in the region, and makes it easier to solve common problems of the region. HVCA is known as the most dynamic and most active professional organisation in Central Europe.

HVCA promotes communication among members and exploits various channels to inform potential investee companies about the availability and advantages of venture capital as a financing mechanism.  To achieve this objective, regular publications (Yearbook, Newsletter, Research essays), internet site, monthly organized exclusive professional and networking events and yearly conference are organised for local and international companies, decision makers in the public administration and for investment professionals.

Type of services provided:

• Participated in the formulation and contributed to the acceptance of the new venture capital financing law advocated within the industry for several years.  The newly elaborated sections of the Capital Market Law laid down the operational conditions necessary for institutional investment (insurance funds, voluntary pension funds).  Worked with the Ministry of Finance.
• Advised the National Office for Research and Technology, a government agency, set up to support research and industrial innovation through financing innovative projects, cooperation between the industry and the higher education on cooperative research centre, etc.
• Advised decision-makers and experts of the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Development Agency (EU ministry) how to combine the EU Structural Funds support with venture capital.  The result is one measure in the Economic Competitiveness Operational Programme 2007-2013, where SMEs can obtain EU financing if matching fund is provided by venture capital or private equity fund.
• Writing articles into HVCA’s quarterly newsletter.
• Moderating roundtable discussion with entrepreneurs of medium-size enterprises during the annual conference.
• Organising training for the professionals of the industry (companies and investment funds, as well as for regulators) in the frame of the Education Committee of HVCA.